Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Small Painting, Big Idea

Diane Mannion, Small Painting, Big Idea, #30, 3.5x2.5" oil on linen/mounted
Painting Small, Thinking Big!

This is number 30 of Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge!  In the next few days, will post a few more which will also complete my 2014 Snippet Series.

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Here's my 30 Paintings in 30 Days (3rd timer!) Report:

Decided to work tiny this time, 3.5 x2.5" because of other events happening at the same time.   This format, also known as Artist Trading Card size or ACEO's.  (One woman was upset that I was painting that size.  Had to send an email defending my decision.)

Last year I painted a batch and called them Snippets.  That series sold out and I gifted a lot.  Even sold one to a woman in Russia! 

This year, a few collectors are buying several to mount and frame together.  My 2014 Snippet Series painted during the 30/30 challenge has sold enough to purchase a new roll of linen!

The small size allowed me to focus on technique... composition, brushwork, color, and subject matter... in a short period of time.  The series became a mini-art show giving me a "birds-eye view" of my work. 

Never realized how much I love painting still lifes!  I focused on glass and shiny things and discovered a new world to paint and a new direction to explore in my work.   

I imagined the 3x2" paintings as 3x2'!

They will be used as illustrations in my Blurb book about still life painting!

They were a joy to paint!  I love giving them as gifts to friends, clients, and students throughout the year. 

There will only be about 33 in this series, then it's on to bigger and better ones!

I'm thankful for you, Leslie... for giving me the incentive and motivation for this project.  


6 comments:

Wendy Barrett said...

Congratulations on finishing the challenge Diane and executing it in such shiny style! I love every piece and totally relate to your love of all things shiny and reflective. I too love still-life but haven't done any for a while.
I will be very interested to hear more about the progress of your blurb book. Good luck with it!

Diane Mannion said...

Thank you, Wendy! If you don't hear about my book after awhile... start nagging me. OK?

Eva said...

I love your little paintings!! I wonder if the person who complained about them ever tried painting that small or knew about the miniature artists who paint even smaller? Would this person have bought one if it were larger? I am not sure I understand the thinking. I am inspired to try painting one myself.
Thanks for sharing these amazing little still lifes.

Diane Mannion said...

Eva, Thank you! The person complained because she had a collection of ACEO, or artist trading cards... that she kept in a box! My collectors have them mounted and framed as a group, instead. She understood later when I explained my reasons.

Unknown said...

Lovely sunny piece, thanks for all your support Dianne

Diane Mannion said...

Margaret, Thank you for your nice comment! I enjoy looking at your work while I'm having coffee in the morning and reading emails.